How to Crochet: Part Two

Following on from Part One last week, we are re-releasing our How to Crochet guide, in tribute of blogger and friend of Deramores, Marinke Slump (aka Wink). In this section, she’ll be showing you how to do three widely used stitches to help use your newly acquired crochet skills effectively!

Welcome to part two of Crochet for beginners! This week I’m going to show you how to do 3 widely used crochet stitches; the half treble (US half double crochet), the treble (US double crochet) and the double treble (US treble)!

Start by making a chain (you can find how to do this in lesson one here). We are working our first half treble stitch into the third chain from your hook.

Yarn over first, and insert your hook into the third chain. Yarn over, and pull through the chain. You now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over one more time, and pull through all three loops on your hook. And that’s how you make a half treble (hdc) stitch! Keep working half treble crochet stitches into your chain until you’re at the end of the chain. We are now going to turn our work to continue our half treble crochet piece.

To turn your work, chain 2, and then turn your work around. You need the chain 2 to be able to work into the first stitch again. When you have turned your work, work the first half treble stitch in the ‘v’ shape. Keep working half treble crochet stitches into each stitch, until you reach the end again. If you want to work another row, chain 2 again and turn your work. Work the stitches into the ‘v’ shapes.

How to make a treble (US double crochet) stitch

The treble stitch looks a lot like the half treble stitch, but is a little taller! Start by making a chain (you can find how to do this in lesson one here). We are working our first treble stitch into the fourth chain from your hook.

Yarn over first, and insert your hook into the fourth chain. Yarn over, and pull through the chain. You now have 3 loops on your hook, just like you would with the half treble (hdc) stitch. Yarn over, and pull through the first 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over again, and pull through the last two loops on your hook. And that’s how you make a treble (dc) stitch! Keep working treble crochet stitches into your chain until you’re at the end of the chain. We are now going to turn our work to continue our treble crochet piece.

To turn your work, chain 3, and then turn your work around. You need the chain 3 to be able to work into the first stitch again. When you have turned your work, work the first treble stitch in the ‘v’ shape. Keep working treble crochet stitches into each stitch, until you reach the end again. If you want to work another row, chain 3 again and turn your work. Work the stitches into the ‘v’ shapes.

How to make a double treble (US treble) stitch

The double treble stitch is a very long stitch, with great definition and character. Start by making a chain (you can find how to do this in lesson one here). We are working our first double treble stitch into the fifth chain from your hook.

Yarn over twice, and insert your hook into the fifth chain. Yarn over, and pull through the chain. You now have 4 loops on your hook. Yarn over, and pull through the first 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over again, and pull through the next 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over once more, and pull through the last two loops on your hook. And that’s how you make a double treble (tr) stitch! Keep working double treble stitches into your chain until you’re at the end. We are now going to turn our work to continue our crochet piece.

To turn your work, chain 4, and then turn your work around. You need the chain 4 to be able to work into the first stitch again. When you have turned your work, work the first double treble stitch in the ‘v’ shape. Keep working double treble crochet stitches into each stitch, until you reach the end again. If you want to work another row, chain 4 again and turn your work. Work the stitches into the ‘v’ shapes.

And that’s it! You now know how to start a crochet piece, and work double, half treble, treble, and double treble crochet stitches! Stay tuned; in our last instalment I will show you how to use your new skills to make a groovy cup cozy.